Malabar spinach
Basella alba
Also known asCeylon spinach · Indian spinach · Vine spinach · Basella · Pui saag
Environment
The bounded range this crop tolerates.
Climate and zones
- USDA zones
- 9–13 (winter low around -7°C)
- Frost
- frost sensitive (dies at first frost)
- Season
- warm (summer, frost-sensitive)
Growing systems
Root mass: moderate.
Growing media
| Medium | pH effect | Retention | Bacterial surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expanded clay pebbles (LECA) | neutral / inert | low | high |
| Coco coir (Coconut coir) | slightly acidic | high | moderate |
| Soil-based mix (Potting soil) | varies | high | high |
Nutrient demand by stage
NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.
| Stage | N | P | K | EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seedling | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.8 |
| vegetative | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1.8 |
Companion-growing notes
- High transpiration. Regular reservoir top-ups needed during fruiting.
Aquaponics suitability
Compatible
Fish waste provides enough nitrogen for healthy growth. Supplemental potassium, calcium, and iron may still be needed depending on fish stocking density.
Care notes
The best leafy green for hot-weather hydroponic production. EC 1.5-2.5 mS/cm. pH 5.5-7.0. Temperature: 25–35°C (tropical; grows vigorously in heat that destroys lettuce and true spinach; dies below 10°C). High light (DLI 16-25 mol/m2/day). Trellis support (2 m) for the climbing vine. DWC, Dutch bucket, or media bed systems. From seed to first harvest: 6-8 weeks. Harvest leaves and tender stem tips continuously; the vine regrows rapidly after cutting. The mucilaginous texture is more pronounced in raw leaves; brief cooking (stir-frying, adding to soup at the last minute) reduces the slipperiness while keeping the leaves tender. The red variety (B. rubra) stains everything purple; use it where the color is welcome. Each vine produces prodigiously in warm conditions, easily supplying daily harvests for weeks. For tropical aquaponics, Malabar spinach is the default leafy green because it thrives in the warm, humid conditions that tilapia systems provide.